The Shikari Box Set

by Dora Blume

  “Oh, that’s no bother son, she’s here now. Come here my darling let me get a look at you." Bryant held his hands open and motioned for her to come closer.

  Sloane took one step closer, refusing to give him much. She felt like a little kid being analyzed by her father’s penetrating gaze. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides when his eyes narrowed. His eyes moved from her head to her attire. She smiled wide knowing he would disapprove of the leather outfit she was currently wearing.

  “So, why the hell am I here, anyway? You know I never left the city. You’ve been playing Erik a fool this whole time so what the hell am I doing here? What’s with the urgency to get me back suddenly? Not like you ever tried before.” She swallowed the lump rising in her throat as she spoke.

  Her father looked aghast, “Can’t a father wish to have a reunion with his daughter after all these years.” He turned an appraising eye on Sloane again. “Although I wish you had arrived in better attire.”

  Sloane ignored his stab at her clothing. “Why am I here?” Sloane looked defiant and ready to run at the same time, she didn’t want to be here, with him. All the memories she’d been trying to suppress for the last five years came bubbling to the surface.

  Bryant shifted his weight to one foot and crossed his arms over his chest. “You always were the impatient one, and now you’ve gotten even a little snappy I would say. Fine, I will inform you of what’s going on. Yes, there is a reason you’re here, and it is an urgent one, but first will you introduce me to your lovely friend here. I feel we’ve neglected her presence in our blessed reunion.” He moved around the table to greet Amy.

  “This is Amy,” Sloane said motioning to the girl standing slightly behind her. Amy moved a bit forward to meet Sloane’s father.

  “Hello, sir.” She smiled warmly, “I feel like I’m intruding on personal business.” Bryant was a large man with broad shoulders. His wavy dark hair was combed back from his face. He had a thick beard which was trimmed to reveal two full lips, resembling Sloane’s. He reminded her of a bear with his towering strength and demeanor. There was something about him that exuded strength and power. It made Amy want to shy away from him. The energy in the room was a lot to take.

  “Oh, dear Amy, there’s no need to worry, we’re all family here.” He moved closer and took Amy’s hands into his own. He kissed them gently and placed them back at her sides. He smiled genuinely at her shyness. Despite his gentle nature, she knew that he was quite powerful, and she couldn’t help but be hesitant around him.

  “Thank you, sir, it’s nice to meet you,” Amy said softly, lacking confidence.

  “Okay, father can we get on with it? You’re being flamboyant as ever. I do have a life to get back to if you don’t mind.” Sloane tapped her foot in impatience. She hated her father’s antics. She knew that he was just playing with her friend. He had power over others emotions and right now he was using that to toy with Amy and Sloane didn’t appreciate it.

  “Oh yes, of course my dear Sloane. Why don’t you all have a seat and I will explain everything to you?” He motioned for them to sit at a large table in the center of the room. It had books stacked on one end and some were open to the last page he’d been reading. Sloane sat, and Amy followed sitting next to her. She eyed her sheepishly and was understanding why Sloane asked her to leave the bar. Amy had a feeling she was about to hear things she probably didn’t want to know. She placed her hands in her lap and picked at her cuticles while they waited for him to start. Erik knew what his father was about to tell Sloane, so he pushed his chair back and put his feet up on the one next to him, relaxing back with his hands locked behind his head.

  Bryant moved toward one of the books he had been reading and took note quick of where he’d left off before moving to join them at the other end of the table.

  “Oh dear, where should I begin? How much does our friend here Amy know, dear Sloane?” He looked to Sloane and put his hands together in front of him.

  Sloane sighed. “I only told her about myself, she doesn’t know anything about the Shikari and what we do.”

  “Oh well, that’s a predicament. Why is she here with you then?” Bryant looked sternly at Sloane. He taught her better than to share her secret with just anyone.

  “We were drinking at a party together. I snuck into a bathroom when I saw Erik and told her about myself. I didn’t want her to go into this completely blind.”

  “Oh, I see.” He studied Sloane a moment and then looked to Amy.

  “Why do you think you are here, young Amy?” Bryant stared at Amy for a long moment.

  Sloane rolled her eyes. “She’ll tell you the truth, you don’t have to do that.” Sloane glared when he continued to use his influence. She wanted to throw something at her father. She scanned the table, maybe a book would get her message across.

  “Now Sloane, is that any way to talk to your father?”

  “Stop doing that and just ask her. She’s an honest person and you’re pissing me off.” Sloane sat upright in the chair. If he kept it up, she would find something to throw.

  “Alright dear, Amy.” Bryant waited. “Why do you think you are here dear?”

  “I told Sloane I wasn’t leaving her. She was obviously distressed all night, I thought she needed my help.” Amy shrugged and began examining the lines of the mahogany table.

  Erik started laughing at her response. “Sloane need your help, please.”

  “Now, now, Erik be polite to our guest. She obviously cares a great deal about your sister.” He smiled toward Amy. “I’m very glad that my daughter has such a loyal friend.” He moved to look at Sloane. “But it was your responsibility to leave her out of this. What made you break your vow?” He glared at his daughter now, knowing full well that this girl should not be here.

  “Yes, and I told you long ago, I don’t care about your vows. I will live my life my way, not yours.” She looked smugly at him.

  “Ah, young and rebellious I see. Well we’ll see if your selfishness hurts you in the end. I’ll tell you everything that’s happening, and you’ll have to live with the consequences.” Bryant moved to consult another book before he began his story.

  Sloane glared at him, knowing that what he said was true but not wanting to admit that to herself. She hated it when he acted like he was above reproach. Yet, the burden would fall on her and she hoped that it wouldn’t be any harder to bear than any of the others. She had enough to last two lifetimes as far as she was concerned.

  “I’ll have to give Amy a brief overview of who we are and what we do so she understands the current events that we are dealing with. See we are an old society, one that has been protecting humanity for centuries. We’re born with special abilities handed down through our blood. That’s precisely why we needed Sloane. Her gift to see the future will help us know the actions of our enemy. See we’re here to fight demons that try to interfere with our world. Sometimes they just possess people and kill but other times they have bigger plans, plans to make as much of humanity suffer as possible. We were created a long time ago to help fight against this. We descended from a race that were created but have long since been forgotten, the Shikari, our texts have been handed down from generation to generation through story and we continue that tradition today. We have learned that our enemies have power over that which is written so in order to survive we keep ourselves secret from your world. Being known in the world for what we are can be a dangerous thing for us, so we do not share the secret with just anyone. The secret is our oath and our bond as Shikari. Each of us has a unique power and we use those powers to destroy demons that try to interfere with this world, your world. Right now, the demons we fight have something big in store and we’re trying to figure out what this plan is.” He looked meaningfully at Amy before he turned to look at Sloane. Amy would have to keep the secret, but it was Sloane’s responsibility to make sure she did, that was the oath.

  “We need your help dear, now more than ever. Demons have been active
recently and we need to know their plans if we are to defeat them before they cause any more problems.” He looked intently at her hoping that this would get through to her and she would help them. He had an influence over others' emotions so he tried to sway her but knew his power was useless on his daughter.

  “What’s different now? Demons are always active, always finding ways to do what they do. Why this sudden urgency to find me? This isn’t anything new for us.” Sloane rolled her eyes. She didn’t understand why they couldn’t just leave her alone. Why they had to find her. She didn’t want anything to do with the Shikari. She’d made that clear when she left.

  Erik cleared his throat “Everything’s different now, haven’t you noticed? You haven’t seen what’s been happening? Little sis, I know you better than that.”

  “Well of course I’ve seen stuff, but it isn’t any different from any other time. Bad guys doing terrible things. That’s normal for demons.” Sloane relaxed back in her chair and crossed her legs. She didn’t know what all the fuss was about. As far as she was concerned, demons had been around long before she was born, and they would be around a long time after she was gone. She didn’t see how she had any real impact on that fact. She learned to accept that a long time ago.

  “Sloane, I promise you what’s going on now is different. You need to be here, with us, if anything for protection. Demons have been finding ways to weaken us and we need to be more guarded than ever. For once listen to us. You need us for protection as much as we need you my dear, Sloane” Bryant moved to sit next to Sloane to meet her at her level. He knew his daughter, knew how rebellious and stubborn she could be but right now her safety depended on them. He needed her to lose her hard headedness and give in to needing help. He wanted his family together for whatever was to come. He needed her to be beside Erik for all they would have to face. They should face it together like the family they used to be. He needed them; he couldn’t see them perish as his wife had so many years before. He knew that was why Sloane fought him so hard. Why she ran away so many years ago, but right now she needed to stay with them. He glanced at Amy for a moment, wondering if she was his way in. He got up quickly and moved toward her.

  “Oh, I’m sorry where are my manners? Forgive me Amy, I forgot to address you my dear. Did you have any questions for me? I know I told you all that quite quickly, and I didn’t give you the proper knowledge for a full understanding. It is quite a lot to take in for someone in your position. I’m truly sorry about that but right now time is a precious commodity. Is there anything that you would like to ask dear? I promise that all will be revealed to you, should you require any further knowledge? Whatever you desire my dear.” He smiled and used his gift to calm the girl who was becoming tense by the moment. He knew she’d been processing all that he’d shared with her. Her anxiety was becoming evident in her hands as she started to pick at her cuticles. She moved her leg up and down quickly tapping her heel against the chair leg.

  She stopped tapping and thought for a moment. She wasn’t sure what to ask. She hadn’t dreamed she’d find out about the secret life of her friend. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know any more, yet she wanted to stay with Sloane. She had no idea this is where she’d end up. “Ah, I’m not sure what to ask. It’s all new to me,” she muttered. She looked back down to the table. She was confused, and she couldn’t wrap her head around all he’d said. It was a reality that she wasn’t ready for or a part of as far as she was concerned. She just wanted to go home.

  “Yes, yes of course dear, you need some time to process of course, of course. Well then whenever you’re ready, then I’ll be here to help you in any way I can.” He looked again to Sloane, who was glaring.

  “I’ll give her any answers she needs.” She said vehemently.

  “Well yes dear, of course you will. She’s your friend after all. I do need your assistance though tonight if you can manage. Would you mind joining Erik on a little errand and then you can go back to your apartment and get some rest? We’ll figure everything out later. I just need your assistance on this one small thing if you could manage.”

  Sloane knew that he wanted more than a small thing but replied, “Fine, I guess we’ll figure this situation out later. I’ll go on this little errand tonight, Erik lead the way.” She got up from her chair and looked over to Amy. “Come on, we’ll go with him and then we can go home.”

  Amy nodded and got up. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed and forget this entire night ever happened. Oh, if only that were a real possibility.

  Erik got up, looked to his father, and nodded. Sloane noticed a slight communication there between them but dismissed it. She knew they were planning something and this errand wouldn’t be little at all.

  “Come on,” he said as he went back toward the tunnels.

  Sloane sighed and followed reluctantly. She was trying to concentrate on her power, so she could see what little thing he had in store for them. She was too emotional after the confrontation with her father to focus though, so she saw nothing. She didn’t like being in the dark, especially when it involved these two. She knew that something was coming and that she wouldn’t be at all happy about helping them out with this little favor. Little errand my ass, she thought as she followed Erik out of the bar and onto the street

  Chapter 3

  Erik took them back to the car and directed the driver to head to Minnehaha Ave.

  “So where exactly are we going?” Sloane asked.

  “We’re heading to get some information.” Erik smiled and chuckled under his breath.

  “Information, huh? I don’t know of any libraries on Minnehaha Ave, last I checked that was where our family home was located.” Sloane didn’t like Erik’s ambiguity.

  “Well the information we seek is currently back at the house. I’m sure you’ll figure out what I mean when we get there.” Erik turned; he was determined not to tell her everything. He was sure Amy wouldn’t want to be a part of this. At the house, she could make herself comfortable while they did their work.

  “Okay, I get it you don’t want to tell me right now but let me tell you this. If I’m going to be back, you will tell me everything. you got that, everything? Nothing will be kept from me. I don’t like being left in the dark. If I’m in, I’m all in, got it.” She looked at him with determination. She would not be fooled again. She was old enough now to know the truth. Unlike the girl that left them. This time she was ready, ready for anything that came with this life. If she was going to be here it was going to be by her choice, not theirs.

  They pulled into the drive and stopped. Erik jumped out and held the door for Amy.

  Sloane glared at him, “Really? I don’t think so brother. Back off.”

  “What?” he shrugged. He ran to let them into the door of the kitchen. Amy followed close behind and Sloane shook her head and followed, her steps were a bit more laborious now that she was here. She had a lot of memories in this house and the most recent, were not happy. She didn’t want to think about it, but it was hard now that she was back at this house. Even the pathway to the kitchen door reminded her of her mother, the way she had planted herbs along the walk so people coming to the door would have the different smells hit them as they walked up the path. She stopped for just a moment in the doorway; the memories of the past were weighing heavily on her shoulders. She couldn’t help but slump as she was flooded with memories of the life she had here, her mother, everything. She sighed heavily before finally crossing the threshold.

  Amy watched her from the kitchen. She knew that Sloane was hurting; she wasn’t hiding it all that well. She glanced to Erik, who seemed oblivious to his sister’s feelings. He was busy watching her. She couldn’t help but look away when she noticed him staring at her.

  “So, this is where you two grew up. It’s a beautiful house.” Amy was attempting small talk, which she wasn’t all that good at to begin with. Sloane walked slowly into the house and by the way she slumped with her head down when she enter
ed, Amy knew she was hurting. She watched Sloane swallow hard before she met her eyes. The pain was heartbreaking to Amy. Sloane looked haunted and swallow suddenly.

  Erik smiled at her sudden interest, “Yes, would you like the grand tour?” he held his hand out to her expectantly.

  Amy glanced to Sloane a moment and said, “I would like that.” Deciding that Sloane needed a few minutes alone to collect herself before she’d be able to accomplish whatever they were there to do. Amy didn’t care what the errand was just that it meant she’d be able to go home soon. She wanted nothing more than to return to her life, her blissfully normal existence. She never thought she’d be so happy to be mediocre before today.

  Erik took her hand when she didn’t give it freely and guided her into the great room.

  “This is what would be considered the living room, but we call it the great room.” He opened the curtains, so she could get a view of the large trees out front. It was a spectacular view. “This is where we formally greet guests.” The furniture in the room was quite decadent and antique. She wasn’t sure anyone had ever used any of the furniture in this room. It reminded her of her aunt’s house, where the furniture was covered in plastic and looked uncomfortable. She wondered how anyone could live with it like that. This was different though; she was afraid to touch anything because it all looked ornamental, valuable, and utterly pristine.

  Erik took her hand again. “I’ll show you the rooms upstairs; they’re individually decorated for each of us as well as our guests.” He motioned for her to go in front of him and he followed close behind. He was so light on his feet she couldn’t hear his steps as they went up the stairs. Her footfalls were obvious, yet she couldn’t hear his at all. She thought that was rather strange in a person, to be so light on their feet. She thought that was peculiar. She stopped at the top of the stairs and he moved ahead to open the first bedroom. “This is the first guest room. It’s all done in a light blue and white. I find this room quite relaxing myself.” He waited as she walked in to look around. When she finished, they moved to the next room.